This, that and the other

The removal of Rio Ruiz from the Orioles organization, for however long while he's been designated for assignment, carries us back to the spring debate over whether there was a spot for him after the signing of free agent third baseman Maikel Franco.

I assumed no, since they played the same position, Ruiz didn't profile as a utility player and he had minor league options. But there was the complication of fitting him on Triple-A Norfolk's roster, because the Orioles wanted Rylan Bannon to play third base and Jahmai Jones to stay at second.

Can't take at-bats away from the prospects.

Jones is on the minor league injured list with a strained oblique, which now creates room. A little too late, of course.

Bannon and Mason McCoy have been getting more reps at second because of it, which is a good thing. And Ramón Urías was optioned.

Wilbis Santiago, 25, started at second base Thursday afternoon in his first game above high A ball, leading me to a Google search because I knew nothing about him or how he got in the organization. Totally forgot that he was in the Indians system since 2015 and the Orioles selected him in the minor league phase of the 2019 Rule 5 draft.

Santiago was a career .305/.348/.403 hitter in the minors before Thursday. He had two hits, including a game-tying RBI triple.

Anyway, back to Ruiz/Franco. The Orioles wanted Ruiz's left-handed bat and solid defense at third, though he slumped in 2020. They hoped that he'd hold onto the second base job after they released Yolmer Sánchez. They liked his personality.

Great hair, too, though they didn't mention it.

Ruiz stays if he hits, but going 15-for-90 with 29 strikeouts gets you taken off the 40-man roster. Especially with Stevie Wilkerson starting fast with Norfolk and offering a lot more versatility.

* While former first-round selection Hunter Harvey moves closer to the active roster by pitching in simulated games in Sarasota, Fla., with a rehab assignment pending, and Dillon Tate about ready to get back on a mound, Rule 5 pick Mac Sceroler seems to be flying under the injury radar.

Sceroler is on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder tendinitis. He's facing hitters in Sarasota after a cortisone injection removed the inflammation, but also is going to require a rehab assignment.

The Orioles won't rush him, of course. The math says he must be on the active roster for 90 days to lose Rule 5 status in 2022. And he can't just jump back into a major league bullpen with his most recent appearance on April 11.

It makes sense to stretch him out, whether as a potential starter later in the summer or maybe to provide bulk innings. The Orioles view him as starter material with his broad pitch selection, while Rule 5 right-hander Tyler Wells could be more impactful in the bullpen.

Managing the 'pen is a little less complicated with only one Rule 5 pitcher inhabiting it. The Orioles can figure out later how to make room.

The most important news is that Sceroler is throwing again and feeling good.

A three-man bench seems to be the preferred arrangement again, so relievers will need to be subtracted for Sceroler, Harvey and Tate. A 40-man spot will be needed for Harvey.

Slumping veterans are going to be vulnerable.

With Bruce Zimmermann back in the rotation, getting today's start in D.C., the Orioles must decide whether to hold on to Keegan Akin for long relief or reinsert him into the Triple-A rotation, since he profiles for that role.

* Trey Mancini enters today's game with 22 RBIs this month, 15 short of Albert Belle's club record set in June 2000. Belle had a bad hip and attitude, but was getting good results.

Here is a list of monthly leaders from STATS:

Albert Belle, 37, June 2000
Manny Machado, 35, August 2017
Mike Young, 32, August 1985
Melvin Mora, 32, August 2008
Jim Gentle, 31, May 1961
Boog Powell, 31, June 1966
Boog Powell, 31, July 1969
Doug DeCinces, 31, July 1978
Bobby Bonilla, 31, August 1996
Melvin Mora, 31, August 2004
Miguel Tejada, 31, April 2005

Former catcher Mickey Tettleton became a fan favorite in 1989 for his unexpected team-leading 26 home runs and All-Star selection, biceps, unusual batting stance and wife's secret-spilling tidbit in an interview that he ate Fruit Loops for breakfast every morning.

A nickname was born.

Fans sent him boxes of cereal to be autographed, or just to keep bringing him good luck. A stuffed toucan, a gift from a fan, sat on top of his locker at Memorial Stadium.

Mancini's favorite breakfast food isn't as easy to turn into a cool nickname or an endorsement deal.

Girlfriend Sara Perlman makes him chocolate vegan muffins.

Do your best with that one.

Maybe she should have them sent to the clubhouse before every game, considering how Mancini is hitting. He doubled twice last night and is batting .464 (13-for-28) with six doubles, three home runs, 10 RBIs, six walks, and seven runs scored during his eight-game hitting streak